Actuation and Sensing of Intelligent Soft Robots

A special issue of Actuators (ISSN 2076-0825). This special issue belongs to the section "Actuators for Robotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 320

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
Interests: kinematic calibration and error compensation of industrial robots; human–robot interaction (HRI); rehabilitation robotics; bio-inspired robotic design

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of intelligent soft robotics has experienced significant growth due to its potential to revolutionize applications in healthcare, industrial automation, wearable devices, and environmental exploration. Soft robots, characterized by their compliance, adaptability, and safe interaction with humans and unstructured environments, require innovative actuation and sensing technologies to achieve precise control, high responsiveness, and functional versatility.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for the latest research and developments in soft actuation mechanisms (such as pneumatic, hydraulic, electroactive polymers, and shape memory alloys) and advanced sensing technologies (including flexible sensors, bio-inspired systems, embedded devices, and sensor fusion techniques). We are particularly interested in studies addressing the challenges of integrating actuation and sensing systems, enhancing the autonomy of soft robots, and improving modeling, control, and real-time feedback in dynamic environments.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and case studies covering theoretical advancements, experimental studies, novel designs, and practical applications of intelligent soft robotics. Contributions that bridge the gap between fundamental research and real-world applications are especially encouraged.

This Special Issue will serve as a valuable platform for researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of robotics, material science, control systems, and artificial intelligence.

Prof. Dr. Guanbin Gao
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • intelligent soft robots
  • soft actuation mechanisms
  • flexible and embedded sensors
  • bio-inspired robotics
  • sensor fusion and data integration
  • soft robotic control and modeling
  • human–robot interaction (HRI)
  • shape memory alloys and electroactive polymers
  • pneumatic and hydraulic actuators
  • wearable robotics and assistive devices

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 5128 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Speed Characteristics of High-Torque-Density BLDC Motor for Robot Applications Using Parallel Open-End Winding Configuration
by Junghwan Park, Handdeut Chang and Chaeeun Hong
Actuators 2025, 14(5), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/act14050220 - 29 Apr 2025
Viewed by 66
Abstract
High-torque-density motors are essential in humanoid, wearable, and rehabilitation robots due to their ability to minimize gear ratios, improve back-drivability, and support compact joint design. However, their inherently high back-EMF limits speed performance, and safety regulations often constrain supply voltages to below 50 [...] Read more.
High-torque-density motors are essential in humanoid, wearable, and rehabilitation robots due to their ability to minimize gear ratios, improve back-drivability, and support compact joint design. However, their inherently high back-EMF limits speed performance, and safety regulations often constrain supply voltages to below 50 V in human-interactive environments. To overcome these limitations, this study introduces a novel winding strategy called parallel open-end winding (POEW), which combines the benefits of two individual approaches: Parallel Connected Winding (PCW) and Open-End Winding (OEW). PCW reduces phase resistance and inductance, thereby mitigating voltage drop and back-EMF, while OEW eliminates the neutral point, allowing full-phase voltage utilization. Experimental results show that the POEW configuration achieves a 3.5-fold increase in maximum speed compared to the conventional Series-Connected Winding (SCW), without altering the rotor or stator structure. Torque constant measurements confirm that all proposed configurations maintain torque output with minimal variation. Although the motor constant slightly decreases due to the higher current in parallel paths, the significant speed enhancement under low-voltage conditions demonstrates the practicality and effectiveness of POEW for advanced robotic applications requiring both high torque and speed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Actuation and Sensing of Intelligent Soft Robots)
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